Present situation
With the IPL venue moved from India with its terrorist security concerns, to the “safer” South Africa, many critics are wary of visiting South Africa due to possible security concerns. Visitors should ask themselves if they would be prepared to visit the more unsavory areas of almost any large city in the world, alone, after dark? South African cities are no different. We have petty crime and we have some violent crime, but overseas visitors are rarely on the receiving end of these incidents as most South Africans make a point of welcoming visitors to their country.
We realize that tourism is an important component of job creation in our country and this means ensuring that each and every visitor to South Africa goes home with a good impression of his stay. And our police force numbers are growing. Which goes a long way to improving the overall levels of safety and security that goes hand in hand with more visible policing.
Track record
South Africa’s track record in managing world class events speaks for itself. The country has over the past ten years hosted several global gatherings, such as:
• Cricket World Cup in 2003
• World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in 2002
• All Africa Games in 1999
• Non-Aligned Movement summit in 1998
• African Cup of Nations in 1996
• Rugby World Cup in 1995
• The Nedbank Million $ Golf Challenge at Sun City annually since 1981
For the WSSD, which was attended by about 37 000 international delegates, South Africa pioneered a security model that has been acknowledged as a new international benchmark – and has since been adopted by the United Nations as its model for large events. South Africa also contributed to the security plan for the 2007 Cricket World Cup, with our SA Police Service being invited to assist with the training of police in the Caribbean.
Reality
The simple truth is that South Africa will host successful world class football events during the next two years that will be free from major crime problems. With millions of visitors arriving, the country, FIFA and their organisers and all stakeholders in these events would certainly not be prepared to commit their reputations or their investments if any event was destined to fail, because of security issues. We all understand what is at stake here, and as South Africans, we will take whatever steps and do whatever is necessary, at whatever price, to ensure that each and every visitor to our land, is welcomed and enjoys a safe and truly memorable stay in sunny, smiling South Africa.
We hope you will be here to enjoy the magic, too.
